CLEVELAND — The Browns traded linebacker Emmanuel Acho to the Eagles for running back/kickoff returner Dion Lewis on Thursday afternoon.
Acho was a sixth-round pick of the Browns in 2012, and did not see much action for Cleveland. He played in two preseason games and then was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury. In Philadelphia, Acho will have the backing of the Eagles defensive coordinator, Bill Davis, who was the Browns linebacker coach last season.
It was a trade involving two backups but the Browns obviously like the upside of a player like Lewis.
He was a fifth-round choice of the Eagles in 2011. That year, current Browns CEO Joe Banner was the Eagles club president.
Lewis, 5’8″ and 195 pounds, appeared in 24 games and has rushed 36 times for 171 yards and two touchdowns as a reserve back. As a rookie in 2011, Lewis also returned 31 kickoffs for 669 yards, a 21.6-yard average. With Josh Cribbs headed elsewhere, the Browns need a return specialist and Lewis will get serious consideration.
In a club statement, coach Rob Chudzinski said, “Dion is a back who runs with very good quickness and vision. He is a promising young player who will add depth, which is extremely important at that position.”
